Policy on Mandatory Health Insurance for International Students

Note: the health insurance fee is NOT automatically refunded if a student drops all classes from De Anza. It is the students' responsibility to contact the office coordinator in the ISP office before the end of the quarter the student stops attending De Anza College. Failing to do so, will result in the student be responsible to pay all health insurance fees.

All F-1 international students enrolled in Foothill and De Anza colleges are required to purchase and subscribe to the health insurance selected by the FHDA district. The policy provided through Ascension offers our F-1 students the best possible medical coverage at the best possible price. Its provisions allow students to choose from a large number of health care providers in our local communities using a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) called Blue Cross: www.bluecrossca.com. This insurance is mandatory for all F-1 international students. Students will automatically be enrolled in this policy at the time of registration, and automatically billed along with every quarter's tuition and fees.

The policy provides excellent benefits, including a generous maximum of $250,000 per condition per year and 90% coverage for most physician and clinic/hospital services within network. The policy has no co-payment if you first seek medical help from the nurse in the College's Health Services office. If needed, you will be referred to see a doctor, and there will be no co-payment for the doctor visit. If you go directly to a doctor without first seeing the nurse at the Student’s Health Services, there is a $50 co-payment that you will need to pay ($100 for emergency room). Policy specifics are included in a separate brochure. Health care in the U.S. is very expensive and complicated. We will provide you with an insurance brochure at the orientation program, so please read it carefully to know what illnesses are covered and what are not covered or“Exclusions” since this is a brief description.

When you register for classes, a $484.00 charge will be added to your bill each quarter, which will automatically enroll you in the insurance program. (see below) You will receive your insurance membership card shortly after the beginning of each quarter.

Important Points Regarding the Health Insurance Plan:

l. The benefits offered through the Blue Cross plan are very comprehensive. As with any insurance plan, however, there are some specific limits to the coverage that is provided. If you accrue a charge for a service that is either not covered or which is in excess of the allowable coverage, you will be responsible for paying those charges.

2. Do not assume that regardless of circumstances your treatment will be covered. Carefully review the "Exclusions and Limitations" section of the plan brochure so you know what is NOT covered or has limited coverage. To verify specific coverage, call Ascension at 1.800.537.1777. For plan information, please visit: www.4studenthealth.com

3. The plan has a co-payment of $50 per visit for all physicians’ services not starting at the Student Health Services office. If the student who needs care goes first to Health Services, there is NO co-pay. The nurse will provide a referral to a doctor as needed.

If you leave Foothill or De Anza before the end of the academic year, your insurance coverage ends on the last day of the last insurance quarter or cycle for which you paid. For example, if you leave at the end of Fall Quarter, coverage ends December 14; at the end of Winter Quarter, it ends on April 14; and at the end of Spring Quarter, it ends on August 14. You may purchase one additional month of transition insurance before or after any insurance period if you arrive in the U.S. before a cycle starts or if you are transferring to another school that begins after the end of a cycle. Information about this is available in the International Student Programs office.

5. Dependent/s are NOT automatically enrolled in De Anza’s health insurance plan. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to complete an ‘Enrollment Form for Dependents’ to enroll your spouse/child in the health plan. This form is available in the International Student Programs office or by contacting Ascension at 1-800-537-1777. Dependent’s coverage for spouse and children is strongly recommended so your family will have health care protection.

6. If you cease to be an F-l visa student, you may no longer purchase this health insurance. Students involved in Optional Practical Training are eligible for the FHDA plan but will not be automatically enrolled. In order to qualify, you must enroll for the insurance as you start OPT and remain enrolled through the entire OPT period. Dependent coverage is not available during OPT. In order to enroll, contact the International Student Office at De Anza College at 408.864.8889.

7. Foothill and De Anza Colleges do not grant waivers to international students who hold other insurance policies, whether U.S. or foreign. If you wish to retain another health insurance plan, it is your choice to continue with that insurance. However, you will still be required to purchase the health insurance selected by the FHDA district, which will automatically be charged as part of your tuition and fees payment during registration.

8. Dental and vision are not covered under this medical plan. If you would like more information on purchasing vision and/or dental insurance, check with De Anza Health Services office or directly with Renaissance Agencies, Inc. at 1-800-537-1777.

While a FHDA health insurance is mandatory of all F-1 visa holders, we do offer a Waiver only to those students who meet all the requirements as described on the Health Insurance Waiver FormAND it must be submitted to the ISP office along with all of the supporting documents, no later that the 2nd Friday of each quarter (Winter, Spring, Fall) or the first Friday of the Summer quarter.

IMPORTANT: Health Insurance Fees will not be refunded past the 2nd week of the quarter to those students who FAIL to notify our office about the following:

Change to a different immigration status (for example H visa)

Receive Permanent Residency (green card holder)

Leave De Anza and/or the US

this means that student is responsible to pay for the health insurance fee for that particular quarter. There will be no exception to this policy. A HOLD will be placed on the student's account if this or any other outstanding fees are due and will consequently be sent to a collection agency if left unpaid which will affect the student's financial record in the US. Also, a student will not be able to obtain transcripts, enroll in future quarter, etc until the HOLD is cleared.